Specialising in retro-styled portable gaming, Auckland-based Polygame Digital has produced a racing game that might not feed the hunger of racing game enthusiasts or graphics snobs, but is a joy to behold for those who grew up with the top-down or oblique camera angle in racing games.
The steering in the oblique camera view takes getting used to. It's easy to let your concentration lapse and turn directly into a wall instead of smoothly around the corner. With four racing classes and 50 stages over various terrains there's surprising longevity in Get Gravel! But it's not until you unlock the stage 2 vehicle that the game really starts to become challenging. The Mini in stage 1 really does crawl around the track and the initial eight stages drag a little.
As the stages progress and the cars get faster, the difficulty level really ramps up and with no map of the track you have only a split second to react to corners.
Visually, the game is more than adequate for what it is but the audio leaves a bit to be desired. The typical guitar-fest that seems to be the domain of racing games was the first thing I turned off, which left the shortcomings of the sound effects in all their glory.
The engine noises sound like someone trying to sing with a pillow held over their face, and the gravel sound resembles repeatedly punching your fist into a bucket of squid guts. Cosmetic criticism aside, Get Gravel! is fun and challenging. For less than the cost of a coffee, this is money well spent.
